JCrew Review: Nordic Parka, XXS

I got this in the blue colour way, though I quite like the olive too. I think the orange lining on the olive was a bit off putting, it resembles my 6yo's jacket. 

Anyhow, great, hefty, warm jacket. Ordered the kids' parka to try on, side by side. That is flimsier. This one is quilted on the inside, with thinsulate too. 

It has a soft inner collar, that rests against your neck and adds insulation. See picture: 

It has similar ribbed cuffs inside the sleeves to keep the sleeves and arms airtight. 

The front has a two way zipper, with a woven zipper pull and also buttons for style. I doubt I will ever do up the buttons.

There are a gazillion pockets: there's boob pockets, for the keep-your-hands-in-pockets while you stroll. There's the large front patch pockets. Those open at the top, where you see the buttons, and they open at the sides in case you want to stick your hands in there rather than boob pockets.   All pockets are lined on the inside with fleece. 

There is a zipped pocket on the inside lapel of the coat:

And there are those parachute pull things on the inside, to define a waist, if you feel the need:

The inner lining is quilted in large diamonds, as visible here. The outside is a nice dark navy, and the inner lining is a contrasting brighter steely blue, above a "skirt", which is dark navy.  The skirt is large open pockets, too, on the inside lapels, in both sides, like men's coats.

The inside of the hood is lined in navy fleece. Feels good on. The faux fur trim 

Is really high quality. It spikes out and separates just like real fur. It's got these shaded tips, which complement my skin and hair tone. It's a thick, luxurious fur trim, like I spent last winter admiring on other people's jackets in Europe. So I think it's a great budget friendly piece for a really stylish and warm parka.

Definitely warmer than the standard long puffer jacket from JCrew, which I also own.

I got the XS and the XXS to try. The XXS is a nice trim fit. The XS wasn't awful, and would be an easier thing to wear if I had on one of my ghastly all wool chunky knit cardis or smth (remember the first iteration of the bonfire cardigan in chunky knit lambswool? In creme? That one.)

 But other than that I prefer the XXS. It fits true to size to a touch large, then. I always get 00 in blazers and 0 in overcoats. Unless the overcoats are oversized, in which case I get 00.

 

Final verdict: great piece! My husband loves it too. Which is huge for him to admit bc he officially detests JCrew bc of my addiction to it.  :)

JCrew Collection Silk and Lace Blouse, E6141

This is a gorgeous silk blouse. I noticed it just recently, and caught a 0 on popback.  It is currently sold out, but we all know that the religious Stalker will be rewarded. 

The fit is slim: I felt it sit tighter across the bust, but not tight. The arms hit me just write at the wrist bone, whereas with the regular sized silk Blythe blouses, they always drape over the top of my hand. I'm petite, you may remember. So I think that the blouse does run a bit small and if you can catch a size up, too, you won't be disappointed. 

Pros: beautifully stitched. The lace is lovely, delicate, spidery. There are well placed pin tucks on the front and back of the shirt. It has a covered button placket, with only the top button visible. The whole thing is very tasteful. You don't feel naked bc of all the lace. Tailored. 

Cons: a slimmer fit. This does mean that you might want to size up.

I love the top. It is quite versatile and will be an investment piece . Provided my December 5 lb don't become permanent!

 Sorry about my layered tank top showing underneath! I was too cold to take it off!

Madewell reviews: corduroy flared jeans, herringbone mock neck top

Review 1. MADEWELL HERRINGBONE SWEATER TOP, XS, $98/- before promos. Fits TTS. The cut is boxy. Funnel neck. The topside of this top is a lovely brushed furry felt. The underside is soft sweatshirt-y cotton. Not terribly warm. This is more about the silhouette than anything. 

Close ups:

That's not a blurry picture, it's fuzzy top in hi-res!

Seams:

And cut of the top:

So you know all these oversized baggy coats everyone's offering these days? You can accommodate your boxy, deep arm cut tops under them. So it all works out. You just need to be super efficient getting dressed. 

REVIEW 2: CORD FLARES

I love the quality of the thin wale cords. Silky, nice, with a bit of stretch. The jeans are high waisted. They do bag out at the knees and legs a touch , but I think that's ok, given I've been lounging in them a bit.  Very comfy high waist, fits true to your regular jeans size. Don't size up. I love the fawn color. Especially with the bagging, it will stand up to wear better than the wine. FYI, Shopbop is also offering these in blue! 

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Today, I wore the flares with an older JCrew top, layered with a Vince turtleneck. Just to shop my closet.

Compared to the herringbone top from Madewell's current offering, which do you vote for: fiscal responsibility or extravagant variety?

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JCrew Review: Collection blouse in graphic peony

Here's the best price I've seen on this blouse. 

It's a nice silk. But I didn't love the print. My cut and paste IG review:

Collection peony print silk blouse. Runs small-TTS. I think this blouse is meant to be super drapey, so you cd get your regular size if you can. I grabbed the 00 on popback, which is one size down from my usual size 0, and had to return. The fit was good, but there's a seam that runs on the sleeves, diagonally from your tricep to your armpit. It's constricting and uncomfortable.  The deep V neck requires a cami under. Mostly, I just didn't like the print. It photographs way better than it looks IRL, for me. The fabric etc were fine. I returned this, so you can expect a 00 to popback or ping me and I can ask them to hold it for you at my store. #jcasofinstagram #jcaforlife #review

Overall, based on others' comments, sizing down is not a bad way to go!